AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (Interstat) — Natalie Pasco scored 24 points and Boise State used a dominant third-quarter surge to pull away from Air Force, securing a 70-59 victory in a Mountain West women’s basketball game Wednesday night at Clune Arena.

The Broncos, who led by just eight points at halftime, outscored the Falcons 24-16 in the pivotal third period to build a comfortable 16-point cushion entering the final quarter. The run effectively insulated Boise State from a late Air Force push that saw the Falcons outscore the visitors 20-15 in the fourth.

Boise State improved to 11-5 overall and evened its conference record. Air Force fell to 7-8.

The game’s decisive stretch began early in the third quarter with Boise State leading 31-23. Over the next six minutes, the Broncos unleashed a 20-6 run, transforming a competitive contest into a commanding lead. The sequence was fueled by stifling defense and efficient offense, with Pasco scoring seven points during the burst. A key play came when Dani Bayes stole the ball from Air Force’s Milahnie Perry and immediately found Pasco for a fast-break layup, capping the run and giving Boise State a 51-29 advantage with 3:30 left in the third.

Pasco, a 5-foot-10 guard from Danville, California, was the offensive catalyst, hitting 10 of 20 shots from the field, including 4 of 9 from three-point range. She added a block in 32 minutes of action. Mya Hansen provided crucial support with 15 points and a game-high six assists, while Tatum Thompson contributed 10 points, four assists and two blocks.

Air Force was led by Milahnie Perry’s 17 points, though she committed five turnovers. Keelie O’Hollaren came off the bench to score 12 points, all from beyond the arc, hitting 4 of 9 three-point attempts. Jordyn DeVaughn dished out five assists for the Falcons.

Despite the final margin, the game was marred by sloppy ball-handling. The two teams combined for 43 turnovers, with Boise State committing 25 and Air Force giving it away 18 times. The Falcons capitalized by recording 15 steals, but their own offensive struggles prevented a sustained comeback. Air Force shot just 36.2% from the field and 30.4% from three-point range.

Boise State’s efficiency proved the difference. The Broncos shot 52% from the floor and an even 50% from three-point range, making 10 of 20 attempts. They also controlled the glass defensively, limiting Air Force to just nine offensive rebounds despite the Falcons’ 37 missed shots.

The first half was a disjointed affair defined by turnovers and missed opportunities. Boise State led 17-15 after a first quarter that saw nine combined turnovers. The Broncos tightened their defense in the second quarter, holding Air Force to just eight points on 3-of-13 shooting to take a 31-23 lead into the break. Pasco had 11 of her points by halftime.

Air Force made several attempts to rally in the fourth quarter, closing to within 11 points on multiple occasions behind O’Hollaren’s outside shooting. Each time, however, Boise State answered, often with a Pasco three-pointer or a basket inside from Thompson. The Falcons never got the deficit to single digits in the final period.

The Broncos’ victory snapped a brief two-game conference skid that included losses to San Diego State and New Mexico. Air Force has now lost three of its last four games.

Boise State returns home to face Colorado State on Saturday. Air Force travels to face San Jose State, also on Saturday.

The game was played in front of an announced crowd of 526 at the 5,858-seat Clune Arena.